Can You Bring Hot Sauce On A Plane?

 

Can you bring hot sauce on an airplane? Are the rules different for domestic and international flights? And just how long will hot sauce remain safe to eat when packed in your luggage? Read on for the answers.

 

Bringing Hot Sauce On A Plane

Can You Bring Hot Sauce on Domestic Flights Within the U.S.A.?

Carry-On Baggage:

Yes – but limit of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) allowed through airport security

Checked Luggage:

Yes

 

 

Can You Bring Hot Sauce on International Flights Originating in the U.S.A?

Carry-On Baggage:

Yes – but limit of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) allowed through airport security*

Checked Luggage:

Yes*

 

*You can bring hot sauce on board and consume it during the flight. But you might not be able to bring hot sauce into your foreign destination (see details below).

 

Can You Bring Hot Sauce Into The U.S.A. on an International Flight?

Can you bring hot sauce into the U.S.A.?

 Yes in most cases (see below)

 

 

How Long Will Hot Sauce Last In Your Luggage?

Hot sauce:

-unopened

 

5 years at room temperature

-opened

6 months at room temperature once opened

 

Sources: Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, StillTasty.com

 

BRINGING HOT SAUCE ON A PLANE: FLIGHTS ORIGINATING IN THE U.S.A.

Can you bring hot sauce through airport security in your carry-on baggage?

Yes, you can bring hot sauce through airport security, but only in limited quantities. Hot sauce falls under the Transportation Security Administration’s “3-1-1 liquids rule”, which requires that all liquids and gels in your carry-on luggage be stored in 3.4-ounce (100 ml) or smaller containers — all of which must fit into one quart-sized plastic bag.

 

Read more: Here are the foods you can bring through airport security

 

Can you bring hot sauce on an airplane in your checked baggage?

Yes, you can bring hot sauce in your checked baggage when boarding a flight within the United States. And unlike the case with carry-on baggage, you can bring as much hot sauce as you’d like in your allowable checked luggage. To avoid spillage, be sure the hot sauce is tightly sealed and then overwrap the jar with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or place the jar inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. To help prevent breakage, roll the jar inside a thick, washable garment or towel.

 

Can you bring hot sauce on an international flight leaving the U.S.A.?

Yes, you can bring hot sauce on an international flight departing from the U.S., either in your carry-on baggage or your checked luggage. If your intention is to bring the hot sauce onto the plane in your carry-on baggage and consume it during the flight, you’ll have no issues. The TSA applies the same rules for allowing hot sauce through security at U.S. airports, whether you are flying domestically or internationally.

You can also bring hot sauce into many foreign countries. But depending on the country, it may have to be in its original packaging and unopened. Be sure to check your foreign destination’s rules before leaving.

 

BRINGING HOT SAUCE INTO THE UNITED STATES

Can you bring hot sauce on an international flight back into the U.S.A.?

Yes, the United States generally allows travelers to bring bottled hot sauce into the U.S. when arriving on a flight from a foreign country.

Note that even if the hot sauce is allowed, you must declare all foods that you bring into the United States — whether they are allowable or not —  to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and permit them to be inspected by a CBP agent. The penalties for failing to declare your food items can be steep; bear in mind also that the CBP routinely conducts random screenings for arriving passengers.

 

FOOD SAFETY: HOW LONG WILL HOT SAUCE LAST IN YOUR LUGGAGE?

Unopened hot sauce will usually keep well for up to 5 years at room temperature. Opened hot sauce will typically keep well for at least 6 months when stored at room temperature.

 

 

Note: While the above information is based on applicable Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidelines at the time of publication, the final decision for whether to allow a food item through airport security or into the United States rests with the TSA and CBP officers on duty at the airport. Regulations also change frequently: For the latest information, check the US Customs and Border Protection and Transportation Security Administration websites.

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